U.S. Soccer hires former MLS and SUM executive David Wright as Chief Commercial Officer

CHICAGO – The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the hiring of David Wright as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Wright brings more than 20 years of strategic management and business growth leadership to U.S. Soccer at the professional and international levels of sports.

“David is an outstanding sales and marketing professional with an impeccable reputation,” said U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General Will Wilson. “He has the experience, relationships, skill-set, and work ethic to have both immediate and long-term positive impact on U.S Soccer.  Additionally, he has a strong track record of building diverse teams and mentoring staff. As a former collegiate soccer athlete he is a team player and a leader, and I’m very excited to have him on board.”

For the last four years, Wright has served as Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer at Minor League Baseball (MiLB), leading all marketing and commercial business units, including business strategy & research, marketing, brand development, communications, media and content, business development and partnership marketing. In addition, Wright oversaw the MiLB Enterprises initiative, designed to maximize commercial value by leveraging the power and overall scale of MiLB’s 160 teams.

During Wright’s time with Minor League Baseball, the sports organization experienced exponential commercial growth and increased club returns through the fully integrated Enterprise model. Attracting industry-leading brands like Nationwide, Nestle, and Applegate, among others, Wright helped to cement MiLB as an emerging marketing platform rivaling more established national commercial properties. Wright’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, innovative technology, compelling content and fan-centric platforms like Copa de la Diversión, contributed to consistent fan engagement increases during his tenure, including eclipsing 41.5 million attendees in 2019 (representing a +2.6% YoY increase).

Wright joined MiLB from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM), where he served as its Senior Vice President, Global Sponsorship in his last role. He oversaw new business efforts for the premier soccer properties in North America (including U.S. Soccer, MLS and the Mexican National Team) that led to breakthrough partnerships with some of the biggest brands in sport and entertainment. In addition, Wright also managed a partnership marketing team tasked with day-to-day management, growth and retention of more than 40 MLS/SUM partners.

“I am honored to join U.S. Soccer at such an incredible moment in time for the sport,” said Wright. “With a great foundation in place, unprecedented momentum, the unparalleled success of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, I am excited to play a role in soccer’s continued growth for many years to come.”

A former SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 Award recipient, Wright earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Indiana University and a Master of Science in sports management from the University of Massachusetts. Wright was a member of the IU Men’s Soccer Team.